Different Types Of German Shepherds: Here's What You Need To Know!

Supriya Jain
Sep 01, 2023 By Supriya Jain
Originally Published on Nov 12, 2021
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Contented shepherd smiling

The German Shepherd is known as a working dog breed that originally came from Germany.

The German Shepherd Dog is one of the known breed's English language names, according to the FCI. In the United Kingdom, the breed was considered to officially be known as the 'Alsatian Wolf Dog' from the end of World War I until 1977, when it was afterward renamed as German Shepherd.

German Shepherds are known to range in size from modest to large. Males must be 60–65 cm (24–26 in) tall at the withers, while females must be 55–60 cm (22–24 in) tall.

German Shepherds are normally taller as they are long, with a proportion of 10 to 12 being optimum.

The official breed standard of the AKC does not specify a weight range. These pets feature a domed forehead, a black snout, and a long square cut mouth with robust jaws.

The eyes are dark in color as well as medium in size.

The ears are known to be wide, open at the front, and parallel, however, the pets are frequently pulled back during movement.

A German Shepherd has black and tan facial features as well as a long neck that is elevated when it is aroused and lowered when it is moving quickly or stalking as it is considered a great pet.

These family pets are dearly adored by their owners. After reading about these ferocious yet friendly family dogs, also check out German shepherd facts, and are cashews bad for dogs?

What is the rarest type of German Shepherd?

Due to the recessive mix of liver and blue, the isabella color of the German Shepherd is the rarest. To find such a puppy, you'll have to look for a long time - and his price will almost certainly be costly as well!

The AKC's fines for liver and blue show dogs, as well as breeders' suppression of the colors, have added to the Isabella Shepherd's rarity.

Isabella is a very rare color variation of German Shepherds that is caused by a combination of blue and liver dilution. Due to recessive genes, the chances of one GSD acquiring both chocolate and grey are quite slim.

Isabella German Shepherds are medium to large canines with males being up to 26 in or 65 cm tall and females standing up to 24 in (60 cm) tall. Isabella is graceful, athletic, and muscular, similar to a purebred German Shepherd.

Their muzzle is lengthy, and these pets have a square skull and pointed ears. Their tails are also bushy and lengthy. Unlike purebred German Shepherds, they have a reddish or brown nose and sea green or blue green eyes.

These dogs need a high protein diet that will provide them with enough energy to get through the day. An Isabella German Shepherd's diet should primarily consist of raw meat. With the proper training, they may be very affectionate and gregarious.

If you're considering getting an Isabella German Shepherd, there are a lot of benefits and drawbacks to consider. Because they are loyal and affectionate to their people, this breed is ideal as a family dog.

They're also intelligent, which makes them simple to train. These Isabella German Shepherds, on the other hand, do not accept being left alone and may develop separation anxiety or become disruptive in the home. They are also high in energy, implying that they need a lot of physical activity.

How do I know what kind of German Shepherd I have?

Looking at a German Shepherd's coat is one of the easiest ways to distinguish it from other dog breeds if you have a pet dog. We picture a brown German Shepherd with black and tan facial and saddle markings when we think about the breed.

The coat is dense and short, and it is usually close to the body. Some of the other ways to identify the German shepherd breed are :

American Show Lines German Shepherds: The American Show Line is a production company based in America. AKC Lines GSDs are another name for German Shepherds. German Shepherds of this breed are often taller and longer. Black and tan saddle, solid black, saddle sable, and solid white are some of the colors available.

The coats of American Show Line German Shepherds are usually lighter in color. This breed of German Shepherd is known for being more laid-back. When compared to Working Line GSDs, American Show Line GSDs have a weaker drive, which means they have less energy.

German Shepherds of the American Show Line make excellent household dogs. In comparison to Working Lines GSDs, these GSDs are exceptionally docile, tracking, and good at herding sheep.

GSDs from the American Show Line is active but weak, and as a result, they are not ideal for top personal protection or law enforcement. However, some of them do pretty well and are commonly used.

West German Show Line German Shepherds: German Shepherds of the West German Show Line are often regarded as the most attractive of the GSD breeds. West German Show Line German Shepherds have a graceful movement. They are quite intelligent and may be easily trained.

The bodies of West Show Line German Shepherds are likewise slanted, but not as much as those of American Show Line German Shepherds.

Black and red saddles, black and tan, sable, bi colors, and black are common in the West Show Line German Shepherds. Before a dog in the West Show, Line German Shepherd breed may mate or carry its genes, it must be completely healthy.

In comparison to American Show Line GSDs, West Show Line German Shepherds are excellent protectors and family dogs. GSDs from the West Show Lines are not lazy, and they require a lot of exercise and training.

They are healthier and more motivated than American Show Line German Shepherds.

East Working Line German Shepherds: DDR's East Working Line German Shepherds are strong and graceful dogs with long coats. Bones of East Working Line German Shepherds are quite robust, and they have huge heads and shoulders. East Working Line German Shepherds are utilized in the military and for search and rescue.

DDR East Working Line German Shepherds are mostly used to police territory borders, although they may also track and attack. The German Democratic Republic is abbreviated as DDR in East Germany.

East Working Line German Shepherds has the darkest coats of any GSD line. They are generally black sable or sable, however, there are a few solid black ones. Their backs have a little incline.

Extremely tough weather conditions and long working days are no match for these GSDs. The nature of these GSDs is more defensive and restrained. Breeding standards for the East Working Line DDR German Shepherd are quite stringent. These GSDs can only reproduce if they are healthy and do not have hip dysplasia.

Even puppies are put through a series of tests to ensure that they have the right bone structure and disposition. A condition that occurs when bones in the hip joint do not fit together properly is called Hip Dysplasia.

German shepherd in a green field

How can you tell if a German Shepherd is purebred?

German Shepherds are one of the most intelligent, loyal, and friendly working dog breeds which tags them as a dog breed that is second most popular in the world. However, while you get a German Shepherd for yourself, here are some tips that can help you identify a purebred German Shepherd.

DNA testing: Getting a DNA test of your dog is the most straightforward way to check if your dog is purebred. A test can be performed with a testing kit which can be easily available online or in pet shops.

This can also be quite an overkill because there are simpler methods to check for the purity of the breed.

The Dog’s Fur: Simply taking a look at your dog’s fur coat can tell you if your dog is purebred or not. Purebred German Shepherds have thick and dense fur all over its body. Its fur is short with black colored patches on its face and back.

Physical Traits: German Shepherds have various physical features which can be uniquely identified to them. They have a well proportioned body and weigh around 75-85 lb (34-38 kg), with a muscular build. They have pointed ears and long furry tails.

Behavioral Traits: Purebred German Shepherds are very energetic and need frequent walks and exercise, they are very loyal and intelligent dogs. They show strong possessive behavior towards their families and can act aggressively towards perceived threats.

What are the 5 types of German Shepherds?

The German shepherd dog breed was originally from Germany and was first known as the Alaskan wolf dog. The breed was supposed to be a working dog as a shepherd for sheep, it was later renamed to German Shepherd.

The modern German Shepherd can do many roles and is a versatile and strong dog breed. German Shepherds are now employed in various tasks such as handicap assistance, search and rescue missions and can also be trained as police and military dogs.

Saddle Coat German Shepherd: The saddleback German shepherd is one of the most easily recognizable dog breeds, it gets its name because of the black fur patch on its back which gives the appearance of a saddle.

Black German Shepherd: Black German Shepherds are commonly known as Solid Colored German Shepherds. They can also have blue points on their coats; shepherds with spots on their coats are not considered as pure solid-colored shepherds by most breeders.

Panda German Shepherd: Panda German Shepherds have a distinct white and black colored fur coat which occurs because of a rare genetic combination that gives its fur the unique pigmentation.

White German Shepherd: They are another type of a Solid German Shepherd, but they are dominantly white-colored instead of black. White Shepherds have a dominant gene which makes them more common as compared to Black Solid Colored Shepherds.

Sable German Shepherd: They are considered one of the most unique dog breeds because of their appearance and are also called agouti. They develop grey, gold, or even black fur as they age.

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Written by Supriya Jain

Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration specializing in Marketing

Supriya Jain picture

Supriya JainBachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration specializing in Marketing

As a skilled member of the Kidadl team, Shruti brings extensive experience and expertise in professional content writing. With a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Punjab University and an MBA in Business Administration from IMT Nagpur, Shruti has worked in diverse roles such as sales intern, content writer, executive trainee, and business development consultant. Her exceptional writing skills cover a wide range of areas, including SOP, SEO, B2B/B2C, and academic content.

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